I was thrilled to find the following information on the very mainstream, very common website: Baby Center. Its so nice to see such rational advice being given out...sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by the lack of the opposite in today's world.
What are the long-term effects on a toddler of sharing her parents' bed?
In Western societies, toddlers typically sleep alone. But there doesn't seem to be any health or development benefit to solitary sleep, and some recent studies show the opposite is true. Researchers around the world have discovered that children who sleep share are more independent, more outgoing, and more confident. As adults, they have higher self-esteem, better stress-management skills, and are more comfortable with intimacy than adults who slept alone as young children. Of course, sleeping arrangements by themselves cannot produce a particular type of person. Think of this decision as one of many you'll make to help your toddler feel loved and secure.
James McKenna, sleep expert
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7 comments:
Hi, found you on Entrecard. Nice blog.
You should list your blog free on mom blog directory at Hip Mama's Place. Thanks and have a wonderful day! :)
Jocelyn @ www.hipmamasplace.com
My daughter slept with us until she felt ready to be in her own room, which was probably about 5 1/2 ...now my 3 yr old son sleeps w/ us! I think share sleeping is great!
Beautiful post - thanks for sharing.
It is good to know we are making some of the right decisions LOL.
Other people look at me strangely when I say we co sleep but we love it.
I guess that is part of the reason why we are still nursing.
My Little Drummer boys
We're somewhere in between, I think. The girls usually settle in their own beds and end up with me from about 1am onwards. I like the fact that they are able to self soothe and get off to sleep on their own. Also, with 3 of them and 1 of me, being in their own beds gives me a chance to have that special 1 on 1 time with them in the evening before they go to sleep. Starting off in their own beds gives me some time to myself too, to unwind and regroup.
I do enjoy waking up with them in the morning is such an awesome connection and we all enjoy that family time.
We've co-slept all 6 kids...and you get to the point where you just don't tell people how you handle it, because we got LOTS of strange looks. Frankly, the kids all graduated to their own beds at different stages, and it was okay, though a little sad for the mom! We're at the stage now where it is very rare for any of the kids to come piling into our bed during the night, and some days I really miss the snuggly little ones during the night!
Every kid is different, every parent is different...my oldest wouldn't cosleep at all. Neither of us got a good night's rest when we tried. My youngest, on the other hand, has coslept since he was an infant. He's four now and starts each night in his own bed, but often crawls into mine before morning. Both kids are happy and secure. It's all about meeting each child's needs and your own.
I love co-sleeping. Mornings in bed with my smiling, giggling baby are the best :)
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